More remote learning drastically reduces in-person COVID-19 cases among Massachusetts students, staff

COVID-19 cases among Massachusetts schools saw a slight decrease this week along with an increase in some area communities.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, a total of 178 new COVID-19 cases were reported among K-12 students from December 24 to January 6. 253 were reported for staff making the overall total in Massachusetts schools for the past week at 431.

The last report, which was for December 17 to December 23, revealed that 949 tested positive. 552 of the positives were students and 397 were staff.

The report only includes positive cases of students and staff who have been in school for either in-person or hybrid learning. Remote learning cases are not counted.

Several Massachusetts communities have recently increased remote learning which leaves less students in the in-person or hybrid learning category.

Here are the statistics from some area cities and towns from December 24 to January 6.

Attleboro: No cases
Dartmouth: 4 students and 1 staff
Fairhaven: No cases
Fall River: 7 staff
New Bedford: 7 staff
Plymouth: No cases
Seekonk: 3 staff
Somerset: No cases
Swansea: No cases
Taunton: No cases
Westport: 2 students

New Bedford and Fall River tied for fifth in the state among staff cases.